ATTACK FROM THE AIR

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 May 1937, Page 9

ATTACK FROM THE AIR

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The wave of preparation throughout Europe against sudden air attack bus reached the League of Nations Palace, said the “New York Tint, s" recently. Secretarial ofhcials tre now working on plans to black out the whole vast structure at the first oltn'in. One ollicial explained that this is mainly a question of providing an emergency system and master switch to put out -al! light:; tn t’iati.'. are being mad'' as the. icsuli oi a. Swiss lan requiring all buildings in Switzerland to be put in shape b} April 1 fm- a hlack-out and to other-

wise meet air attacks by making roofs as safe as possible against incendiary bombs and cellars as comfortable as living quarters. The League enjoys extra-territorial-ity, but its non-observance of tlie-black-out would spoil the plan, and Mr Joseph A. C. Avenol, Secretary-Gen-eral, decided to co-operate with local authorities. . Oflicials state that the roof ls already fireproof, and usually there is nobody in the building at night, when air raids are most feared, except 'watchmen “who have plenty of cellar J room.” Apparently the possibility ot an air raid while the Assembly or 1 Council is debating what to do about war is not as yet seriously contemplated. Although the League Palace with its white walls is an outstanding land-

mark in Geneva, when viewed, from the ground, it is much less conspicuous from the- air than many smaller buildings, particularly the tional Labour Organisation, buildin o with its glass tower. The League Palace roof is clay-coloured, and its lines also help it to merge with the ground when viewed from above. The great weakness in the plan to keep air raiders from finding the peace citv at night is, of course, Lake Geneva, which can easily give airmen direction even when the moon joius in tho black-out. This fact causes some to criticise the expensive blackout preparations as a waste of money.